A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration project axed due to lack of progress could be back on track.

The council has joined forces with the owners of the “eyesore” Commercial Hotel in Accrington to develop the Church and Oswaldtwistle Gateway.

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Last February, the council cut its ties with Enza Property Group, which had “failed to bring forward any viable proposals”, documents show.

Councillors have now agreed to hand over the land at the site to Sykes International Trading Limited, which has subcontracted the work to Cheshire company Harrow Estates Plc.

Managing director, Mike Riding, who has over 30 years of development and regeneration experience, said a figure could not be put on the new plans, which were in the early stages of development, and said they were more modest than the previous plans.

He said: “Both Sykes International and the local authority have interest in the land, it it gives Sykes International a preferred developer position.”

In 2008, the council unveiled its ‘masterplan’ for the site, which included new offices, flats, and shops alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, and around the Commercial Hotel in Blackburn Road.

The original plans for residential housing have been abandoned, Mr Riding said, with a focus on retail and commercial uses being preferred.

He said: “It will be a mixture of both offices and community-related facilities, such as a doctor’s surgery. That’s not to say there’s one definitely going on though.

“There would also be food retailers, and other retailers.

“What we are looking to do is improve the character of the locality, and kickstart a regeneration of this particular part of Church.

“The original scheme was much larger than this, and because of the economic climate, it did not work, so we have regrouped and looked at a scheme that will work.”

The Commercial hotel, which Mr Riding described as an “eyesore” will be demolished, subject to planning permission he said.

He said: “This is a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. Hopefully neighbouring properties will fall in line and join in. It’s an exciting time.”

Head of regeneration and housing at Hyndburn Council, Mark Hoyle, said: “The council previously partnered the Enza Property Group, but in over seven years this company failed to bring forward any viable redevelopment plans.

“There has not been any other market interest in the subject site,” and the partnership with the promoters now proposes to bring forward market interest subject to a satisfactory planning consent. he added.